As of Friday, Alan Payne, the key man in IDW’s bookstore operations, is leaving the company:

After nine years with the Publisher, IDW VP of Sales Alan Paynewill step down, effective immediately. Alan spearheaded IDW’s presence in the highly competitive bookstore market starting in 2007, and during his tenure the company achieved significant growth.
￼
“It has been a great and rewarding nine years at IDW,” said Payne. “IDW has the best staff in the business, and I was privileged to be a part of it. I’ve made lifelong relationships, and will always value the time I spent there.”

“Alan has been a big part of our success in recent years,” said IDW CEO & Publisher Ted Adams. “We truly appreciate all of his efforts during his time here, and wish him nothing but the best in his future endeavors.”

Alan has 23 years of experience in the comic industry, and spent 6 years as the head of the book trade at TokyoPop, prior to his stint at IDW.

Alan is one of the most familiar faces at any industry event, and — disclosure — a good friend I’ve spent many days and evenings with talking about everything in life. He is indeed an industry lifer, and we with him all the best in his future journeys.

Heidi MacDonald is the founder and editor in chief of The Beat. In the past, she worked for Disney, DC Comics, Fox and Publishers Weekly. She can be heard regularly on the More To Come Podcast. She likes coffee, cats and noble struggle.